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Business News Wales
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Business News Wales
Welsh Language Commissioner To Outline Vision for the Next Five Years
At the Wrecsam National Eisteddfod Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones is set to outline her vision for the next five years while also looking forward to the next term of the Senedd. Her five-year strategic plan published earlier in the year identified children and young people, health and care, and Welsh in the workplace as three priorities to address from now until the end of her term as Commissioner. She also recently published a manifesto with clear priorities that she hopes all parties will consider adopting before the Senedd Cymru election in 2026. According to Efa Gruffudd Jones, there is a crucial period ahead of us in the context of the Welsh language: 'I have stated on several occasions that my ambition as Commissioner goes beyond a narrow interpretation of what is expected of me by the Welsh Language Measure, and I am keen to lead an organisation that does more and contributes more significantly to wider language planning work. 'What has been outlined in our strategic plan and manifesto clearly shows the direction we want to take and our ambition in terms of the language. I am keen to work to strengthen Welsh language provision and services in our priority areas, working closely with key partners. 'The Eisteddfod week offers a chance to continue those collaborative discussions and hopefully I will have the opportunity to discuss with many of our partners in the field.' Joining Efa to consider the Commissioner's priorities will be representatives from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the National Union of Students Cymru and Wrexham University as well as the Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner, Osian Llywelyn. Broadcaster and presenter Iwan Griffiths will chair the event. According to one of the panel members, Deio Owen, president of the National Union of Students Cymru and one of the youth trustees of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, these areas need to be addressed: 'It is disappointing to see statistics that are constantly published showing a decline in the number of Welsh speakers. Having said that, from my experience young people's attitudes are certainly very positive towards the language and the Commissioner's recent research supports that. But that doesn't equate to using the language consistently. 'I welcome the Commissioner's intentions to prioritise children and young people and also the workplaces as young people have access to Welsh throughout their school days but what happens then when they enter the world of work or when they continue their studies? I look forward to contributing to the discussion at the Eisteddfod and having the opportunity to contribute more broadly as the conversation continues, hopefully, in the months ahead.' The five priorities outlined in the manifesto are as follows: Language duties – increase the number of Welsh language services available to the public by extending Welsh language standards to priority areas Community language planning – extend the Commissioner's influence by strengthening the promotion standards as a framework for the co-ordination of intensive community language planning Workplaces – establish a specialist unit in the Welsh Language Commissioner's office to increase the use of Welsh in workplaces Health and clinical care service – transform clinical care in Welsh through intensive investment and action in priority areas The education workforce – establish a five-year Welsh language training framework as a mandatory element of training as a teacher in Wales The Welsh Language Commissioner will have a stand at the Wrecsam National Eisteddfod and anyone is welcome to drop in for a chat or to ask a question. A series of activities will be held there throughout the week.
Wales Online
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
People are turning city's ugly street boxes into something completely different
People are turning city's ugly street boxes into something completely different From astronauts to mermaids and swans, graffiti hotspots are getting a facelift Artist Efa painting the Grangetown swans on a utility box (Image: Jonathan Myers ) If you keep your eyes peeled, all around Cardiff you'll see utility boxes, walls or underpasses that take you somewhere different, maybe under the sea, or to space, or paying homage to some well-known city creatures. Amongst the design, you'll see a logo somewhere on it marked City Art Project. The project is the brainchild of Sean Thomas. Four years ago, he went from his day job as one of Cardiff council's graffiti removal team to becoming a supervisor in the team. One of his roles was to come up with a pay to improve graffiti. "We were going into the same areas all the time painting the boxes and the walls," said Sean, 56. He got so fed up of seeing areas he'd cleared being spray painted over, he decided to do something about it. It's a completely voluntary scheme which he runs outside of work. Utility boxes on Merches Gardens in Grangetown which were covered in graffiti until City Art Project transformed them (Image: Ruth Mosalski ) The resulting project sees utility boxes - those large green boxes you walk past without a second look - turned from ugly metal boxes covered in graffiti tags to pieces of street art. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Outside Techniquest, there is one which is space themed. By Sainsbury's in Cardiff Bay, there is a mermaid. Others around the city have been painted by artists and non-artists, old or young. For those who aren't formally trained, Sean has stencils. Article continues below The project started four years ago, when he was fed up of seeing council resources wasted removing graffiti that popped back up. He remembers being on Northcote Street in Cathays when as he was clearing a large wall, someone started tagging it while he was still cleaning. "Resources were being used which I knew could have been used better so I just thought, 'what if I can get in touch with some artists and get permission for these areas that we're going to all the time, they can have it as an allowed space and get them involved maybe it'll deter them a little bit'." And it's worked. Between the walls and utility boxes, he reckons there are about 100 places in the city which have been painted. The success of the scheme is that once they are painted, a sort of unwritten code kicks in, and they tend not to be tagged again. Any vandalised space that we've been given permission for from the landowner, a utility company or if it's council space can be painted by an individual, schools, youth clubs, graffiti artists. Sean has approached local companies and all the paint has been donated by local companies. The newest additions are three on Merches Gardens in Grangetown which was suggested by local residents, and overseen by Jo Hartwig at Grangetown Studios who enlisted local artists to paint the boxes. The three artists, Amy Hann, Efa Blosse-Mason and Tad Davies, were commissioned to paint a utility box each. They each did a workshop, respectively at Cardiff and Vale College with Level 2 art and design students; Year 2 at Ninian Park Primary School and Blwyddyn 6, Ysgol Hamadryad. The finished utility box on Merches Gardens (Image: Jo Hartwig ) Tad's piece takes in animals and creatures, all drawn by students at Ysgol Hamadryad in Butetown, while Efa's recognises the local swans who keep residents entertained. Local councillors Ash Lister and Lynda Thorne secured donations from Rightacres and Cardiff Rotary Club to fund the scheme. Article continues below Sean said: "It can be done by anyone, kids or adults, individuals or groups, and so long as they've the ideas, we can provide all the paints for free." Anyone who wants to know more can contact localteam@ or
